Improvement in fastenings for bessemer-converter sections



W. R. JONES.

FASTENINGS FOR BESSEMER CONVERTER SECTIONS.

Patented Dec. 26,1876.

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Wifmsszs mwa/a /i UNITED STATES PATENT EEroE WILLIAM R. JONES, OFBRADDOCKS FIELD, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN FASTENINGS FOR BESSENIER-CONVERTER SECTIONS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 185,753, dated December26, 1876; applicatioi filed October 16, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM R. J oNEs, of Braddocks Field, in the countyof Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Fastenings for BessemenGonverter Sections 5 and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, in WhichFigure lis a vertical section of that part of a converter embodying myinvention. Fig. 2'is a front elevation in detail. Fig. 3 is a sideelevation in detail.

This invention relates to the construction of devices for readilyuniting or displacing the bottom of Bessemer converters and theairchamber cover from the bottom.

The most approved form of converter is that with a joint below thetrunnions, by means of which the bottom or lower portion of the bulb maybe taken off for repairs to the tuyeres or other parts. In large plantsit is customary to use this form and keep a number of supplementarybottom sections to replace at once those in which the tuyeres havebecome burned out or Worn short. This is necessary in order to increasethe capacity of the plant, by keepin the converters at Work as steadilyas poss1 e.

Now, in the present form, the bottom section and the cover of the blowing-cham ber are attached to the main bulb of the converter, and to eachother, by means of a number (generally twelve) of pins, -which arerigidly attached to the flange or lug of one part and enter holes intheange' of the other part, being fastened by a key-pin or wedge. Thisis all well enough when the converter is to be taken apart, as it isonly necessary to knock out the keys. But to put the sections togetheris another thing. Here are twelve or fourteen fixed bolts, every one ofwhich must be in line with its respective hole in the other section.This is a difficult thing to accomplish, on account of the great weightof the sections, which require a steam or hydraulic crane to move them.In the great hurry incidental to the Bessemer process, the workmen thinkall is right, and pass the word to lower away. Down comes the ponderousmass, and as the adjustment is seldom accurate, one or more pins aresnapped off and rendered useless. This is a great and annoying nuisance,besides causing a loss of very valuable time, which I propose to do awaywith by my invention.

It comprises two forms-a device for uniting the bottom section to themain bulb, and one for uniting the metal cover to the bottom section.The latter must be shorter than the former, because there is less roomfor it.

To these ends, then, my invention consists of either a T or loop headedbolt, the head seated on a lug or lugs on one section of the converter,and the shank passing through an open-slotted flange or lug on the othersection, beyond which the usual key-wedge is driven through thebolt-shank.

In the drawings, A is the shell of the main section of the bulb, and Alits lining. B is the shell of bottom section; and B its lining, havingthe tuyere holes for the blast. C is the air-chamber casing, and O itscover.

On the outside of shell A, around its lower edge, are placed lugs a,each having an upwardly-turned end, forming a hook, as seen in Figs. 1and 3. On the outside of shell B, around its upper edge, andcorresponding to the lugs a, are placed lugs b, each having a squareshoulder with an open slot. The under side of the shoulder may have agroove as a seat for the key-Wedge. These two portions are united bymeans of the loop-headed bolts c, the loop passing over the lug-hook a,while the shank slips into the open slot of lug b, after which the key dis driven home.

The cover C of the air-chamber is clamped in a similar manner, exceptthat the bolts c are T-headed and the lugs e are slotted to form a seatfor the shank, and a bearing on each side for the T-head. In otherrespects the two fastenings are alike.

Thus constructed, in assembling and uniting the parts there is nonecessity for such nicety of adjustment before lowering away at thecrane, and no possibility of breakage. If a bolt fail to enter its slot,it is simply pushed out of its seat. 0r the bolts may all be unshippedand thrown on the ground till the sections are brought together, when afew moments suflice for attaching them and driving the keys. 1f any ofthem should accidentally break, another can be had to take its placewithout the delay of riveting or other fastening.

Altogether, the operation ot uniting the sections by this means isrendered short and simple, with no loss of time, no breakage, nonecessity of lengthy repairs, as are usual with the present form. Thetime thus saved can be profitably' occupied in one or more extra blowsdaily.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim- A coupling for thesections of a converter, consisting ot' a bolt, having a loop or T-head,a hooked lug, to support` said holt, an openslotted shoulder, to receivethe boltshank, and a key to fasten the coupled parts together,substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this2d day of October, 1876.

WILLIAM R. JONES.

Witnesses GRAM. CURTIS, WILLIAM WHITE, Jr.

